Page 65 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2017

GIVING BACK finding fur ever homes
In the past ten years, the Humane Society of South Mississippi has helped over 45,000 homeless dogs and cats find loving owners and families of their own. Through the efforts
of the staff and tireless volunteers, animals are being cared for, spayed and neutered and often times reunited with owners.
Housing approximately 400 animals daily means volunteers are an essential part of operations. “With this many animals in the shelter on a daily basis, you can imagine it takes a lot of time, people and money to care for all of them,” said Katie King, development manager. “The more
people we have helping in the shelter, the more we can get these dogs walked and out playing in the play yard which enables them to get some energy out and some fresh air.”
King also says volunteers help in socializing cats, making enrichment treats and toys and spending quality, one-on-one time with animals. Other volunteers help with clerical work, cleaning kennels and assisting with adoptions.
Adoption of homeless animals remains at the core of HSSM. “Each year our shelter adopts out 3,000- 4,280 pets,” adds King. “While that number is quite an achievement, it
comes with a lot of hard work and our ultimate goal is to find a home for every animal brought to us.”
HSSM works to make the adoption process as smooth and easy as possible, allowing prospective owners to play and interact with their chosen animal and keeping the interview and paperwork process to about an hour.
Helping to ease pet population, HSSM provides high quality spay and neuter surgeries starting at $35 for cats and $105 for dogs. “Having your pets fixed not only relieves the stress of pet overpopulation, but it also offers your pets many health and behavioral benefits.
is proud to sponsor
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI
1715 25th Ave. Gulfport | 228.324.1715 | www.buschrealty-gulfcoast.com
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
December 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 65
story by Alexis Williams
Humane Society of South Mississippi
hssm.org | 228.863.3354